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Tuesday, 24 July 2012

IJAW PEOPLE

    From the forest region of our great country Nigeria, from within the Niger Delta I bring to you IJAW. These are a group of people mostly found in Bayesla, Delta and Rivers states. They are also found in many states such as Edo, Akwa-Ibom and Ondo states. History has it that they are believed to be among the earliest inhabitants in the south. As early as the 15^thcentury , the Ijaw people were linked to areas of sea trade routes.

    Traditionally, it is said that their early ancestors dropped from the sky. Orus (their ancestors) were and are still believed to be devine. They are also devotees of spiritual culture that made so much use of water. Beni-Otu is the name given to the water legends and mermaids. Around 400 CE to about 650 CE (AD) Kumoni-Orus (ancestors) joined them. History has it that Kumoni or Oru were the two names which they were called up till the 19^th century. Europeans who visited noted the name Oru as the distinct term for Ijaw.

Ijaw has 40 connected tribes which are based on shared culture and religious traditions and kinship lines. Below are some of the names and states of the groups;

1. Seimbiri - Delta state
2. Oyakiri – Bayelsa state
3. Oparoma – Bayelsa state
4. Opobo – Rivers state
5. Tungbo – Bayelsa state
6. Ukomo – Edo state
7. Zarama – Bayelsa state
8. Okordia – Bayelsa state
9. Kabo – Delta state
10. Klabiri – Rivers state
11. Iduwini – Delta state
12. Gbaranmatu – Delta state
13. Iduwini – Delta state
14. Isaba – Delta state
15. Zarama – Bayelsa state
16. Buseni – Bayelsa state
17. Egbema – Delta and Edo state
18. Arogbo – Ondo state
19. Bassan – Bayelsa state
20. Bille – Rivers state
21. Tarakiri(East) – Bayelsa state
22. Tarakiri(West) – Delta state
23. Olodiama(west) – Edo state
24. Ukomu – Edo state
25. Tuoma – Delta state
26. Bumo – Bayelsa state
27. Bonny – Rivers state
28. Ekeremor – Bayelsa state
29. Engeni – Rivers state
30. Furupagho – Edo state.

Still to come, a few details of Ijaw peoples lifestyle, food and cultural practices.*winks*